Trump Says US Forces Attacked Drug-Carrying Submersible Vessel

The president’s comments follow reports that U.S. forces recovered two individuals who survived a U.S. strike in the Caribbean Sea on Oct. 16.

A suspected drug smuggling vessel burns the day after the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Diligence (WMEC 616) fired upon it in the Caribbean Sea, on Sept. 7, 2025. U.S. Coast Guard photo

U.S. forces recently targeted a submersible vessel suspected of trafficking narcotics, President Donald Trump said during an Oct. 17 White House press conference, while hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump described the strike on the submersible vessel after facing questions about reports that U.S. forces had recovered the survivors of a recent strike on a vessel operating in the Caribbean Sea. Reuters was the first to report that two individuals had survived the Oct. 16 U.S. strike on the suspected drug vessel.